Our Team
Don Shirley
Executive Director
Don Shirley is the executive director of Connected Texas, where he leads the initiative’s continuing statewide effort. Under the guidance of the Texas Department of Agriculture, Shirley oversees the management and administrative aspects of the initiative, as well as supports the design and implementation of a statewide broadband deployment strategy. The plan includes partners from both the public and private sectors, all working together on local and regional technology planning, technical assistance, and ultimately, increased broadband adoption and digital literacy in all corners of the state.
Shirley was previously a field operations manager and executive director of the Connect Ohio program. Prior to joining Connect Ohio, Shirley served as director of strategic alliances for Spinvox, a London-based technology solution provider; served as director of product marketing and next generation services for Powernet Global Communications; and was senior product manager, business marketing, for Cincinnati Bell. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in business administration from The Citadel in Charleston, SC.
LaTanya Tatum
Program Coordinator
LaTanya Tatum is the Connected Texas program coordinator. As program coordinator, Tatum reports to Connected Texas Executive Director Don Shirley and works closely with the Texas Broadband Task Force to manage the activities of the Texas regional planning teams. These teams will implement a statewide strategy that includes benchmarking of technology use across relevant community sectors; setting goals for improved technology use within each sector; the development of a strategic plan for achieving its goals; and ultimately increased broadband adoption and digital literacy.
Prior to joining Connected Texas, Tatum worked for the state of Texas at the Texas Education Agency as a program specialist. She holds a master of science degree in organizational leadership & ethics from St. Edwards University in Austin, and a master of science degree in criminal justice from Texas State University, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Jackson State University in Jackson, MS.
Erin Flournoy
Field Solutions Specialist
Erin Flournoy serves as Field Solutions Specialist withing the Engineering and Technical Services division. She is responsible for the development and nurturing of local agency and state broadband provider relationships. She will assist in the identifiction of key opportunities that benefit state based non-profit or for-profit edneavors and provides general and overall Engineering and Technical Services support. She augments the Engineering and Technical Services staff in the development of pilot projects, community engagements, and last-mile solution through on-the-ground due diligence and community research.
Erin joined the Connected Nation team in December, 2009 as Stakeholder Relations Associate. In this role she functioned as the primary relationship manager for our Texas program, building and maintaining a strong relationship with our state partners at the Texas Department of Agriculture while increasing exposure to, and support of, the program across a broad spectrum of stakeholders and groups. Her efforts helped establish our relationship with the Texas Association of Regional Councils (TARC), a partnership that will serve as the nexus for our community engagement efforts across the state as the program moves forward.
Erin has eight years of sales experience, most recently serving in the conference planning team for Omni Hotels in Dallas. In addition, she served as a Licensed Real Estate Agent for America’s First Home, Sales Coordinator for HFA Holdings, a high-rise condominium builder/developer, and was a Licensed Health, Life and Annuity Sales Agent for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Florida.
Erin holds a B.A. in English, with emphasis in Creative Writing (limited admissions program), and a minor in Communications from Florida State University. At Florida State University she served Tri Delta most recently as Continuing Education Chairman.
Rick Langenek
Project Manager
Rick Langenek serves as Project Manager for Connected Nation. In this role, he will assist in the development and diffusion of a project management culture throughout the Connected Nation enterprise. Rick will have a lead role in Connected Nation project management activities including implementation efforts for our Connect State engagements and provide project management support for identified Connected Nation deliverables including eCS activities and assist in the facilitation of the governance process for Connected Nation’s Project Management methodology.
Rick joined Connected Nation with extensive experience in integration management, scope management, and procurement management most recently serving as the I.T. Project Manager for Hewlett Packard in Lexington, KY. In this role, Rick managed all projects and resources within the Exstream IT Department. He established and implemented new IT project management processes and worked with and represented stakeholders on need identification, requirements definition, solution evaluation, and project justification for business solutions.
Rick holds a B.S. in Business Administration / Finance from the University of Akron and also obtained his PMP certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) and a Kepner-Tregoe Project Methodology Certification from the Kepner-Tregoe Institute.
Jeremy Thacker
Communications Specialist
Jeremy Thacker serves as a Communications Specialist where he is responsible for assisting with projecting a positive image of Connected Nation to stakeholders and the general public through various media activities including web and other multimedia assets. Jeremy coordinates with media at a national level to gain maximum exposure for Connected Nation’s activities and support partner communications and assist in strategic downstate media outreach.
Jeremy brings with him more than 15-years of experience in television show producing, breaking & entertainment news and live event planning. He has most recently served as Freelance Producer for CMT/MTV Networks, GAC and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Prior to his tenure in Nashville, Jeremy was a Supervising Producer for E! Networks in Los Angeles.
He holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Arizona.
